Top Picks
Guides
What’s on
Where to go
See all

No Pay? No Way! at the Royal Exchange Theatre

Creative Tourist

Book now

No Pay? No Way!

Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre
12 May-10 June 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

From £5.00
No Pay? No Way at the Royal Exchange
Image courtesy of Johan Persson.
Book now

Razor-sharp, chaotically funny and strikingly relevant, the UK premiere of No Pay? No Way! storms into the Royal Exchange Theatre this spring.

This brand-new version, written by Marieke Hardy, sees Dario Fo and Franca Rame’s raucous 1970s farce brought to life on the Royal Exchange Theatre’s iconic in-the-round stage.

A riotous production illuminating some of the most pressing issues in the UK today.

Ferocious and feisty, No Pay? No Way! is a political comedy offering a startlingly urgent and topical exploration of our global economic reality. A riotous production illuminating some of the most pressing issues in the UK today; revealing the truth around rising inflation and falling wages, this is a show about getting what you deserve.

No Pay? No Way! at the Royal Exchange
Image courtesy of Johan Persson.

The hilarious and twisted narrative centres around two bold and rebellious women, Antonia and Margherita. Hauntingly relevant, set at a time where prices are through the roof and when many are struggling to cover their gas bill, Antonia blows her top and leads an impromptu uprising at her local supermarket.

Newly liberated and out of control, a host of angry women storm the shop – shoplifting until they drop – like a “supermarket sweep on steroids”. Back at her family home, with her pile of newly-acquired loot, Antonia has to think quickly about where to hide the swag. Cue Margherita’s entrance and the creation of a miracle pregnancy.

No Pay? No Way at the Royal Exchange
Image courtesy of Johan Persson.

Farce at its jaw-achingly funny best.

This fiercely intelligent and fantastically witty show was a smash-hit success at the Sydney Opera House in 2020. Now, the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Joint Artistic Director Bryony Shanahan is at the helm of its thrilling UK premiere. The top-notch cast is headed up by Samantha Power (Wuthering Heights, Royal Exchange) as Antonia and Katherine Pearce (Husbands and Sons, National Theatre & Royal Exchange) as Margherita, alongside Roger Morlidge, Gurjeet Singh and Anwar Russell.

We absolutely love a farce and No Pay? No Way! has all the trappings to be wondrous. Bonkers, relentless farce at its jaw-achingly funny best.

What's on at Royal Exchange Theatre

Where to go near No Pay? No Way! at the Royal Exchange Theatre

St Ann’s Square
City Centre
Park
St Ann’s Square

St Ann’s Square is a quiet little enclave of shops, with Barton’s Arcade set back from it on one side, and St Ann’s Church, which dates back to 1712 and…

Rapha Clubhouse Manchester
City Centre
Shop
Rapha Clubhouse Manchester

AKA cyclist heaven, Rapha is more than just a cycle-wear shop. It’s a place for anyone who loves cycling to congregate and celebrate the sport together.

City Centre
King Street Manchester

King Street is one of the most picturesque parts of Manchester with buildings designed by Alfred Waterhouse and C.R. Cockerell. Once Manchester’s financial epicenter, it’s now home to high-end retail and fine dining.

Manchester
Restaurant
KAI Deansgate

Kai is a Turkish restaurant on Deansgate, set up by the brains behind the well-regarded Zouk restaurant. Expect excellent mezze plates and an open grill that releases wonderful aromas throughout the venue.

City Centre
Restaurant
Lunya Manchester

Lunya is a Spanish and Catalan deli and restaurant in Manchester’s stunning Barton Arcade. The food is reliably fresh and the staff both charming and incredibly knowledgable.

City Centre
Shop
Aston’s Of Manchester

In Royal Exchange Arcade, Aston’s of Manchester is a tobacconist that recently branched out into whisky sales. In their shop you’ll find an interesting selection of bottles to buy, including some real rarities, and tasting events here are just getting going.

See all places

What's on: Theatre

Liz Richardson: Local at Lowry
TheatreSalford
Liz Richardson: Local at Lowry

Liz Richardson explores community, identity and connection in Local – a candid solo show rooted in real-life stories.

From £12.00
TESS at HOME: A woman holds four planks over her head, watched on by three women.
–
DanceManchester
Tess at HOME

A bold, breathtaking fusion of circus and storytelling, Ockham’s Razor transform Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles into a visceral, visually stunning spectacle.

From £21.20
Piece of Work at The Edge
–
TheatreChorlton
Piece of Work at The Edge

James Rowland’s acclaimed one-man show is a witty and quietly moving story about identity, friendship and finding your place in the world.

From £16.00

Culture Guides

A young boy with a white sash around his left arm cries.
Cinema in the North

Outdoor cinema announcements, a major retrospective at HOME, and the best of indie cinema.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Experimental performance, thought-provoking new writing and our picks of Manchester International Festival - here’s what’s taking centre stage this summer.

Isabel Galleymore in conversation
Literature Events in the North

There's a lot of experimentation going on in our Literature guide, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.

Music in the North

Gigs are coming in hot this spring – from long-awaited returns to one-off happenings you’ll blink and miss if you're not careful.

Experience a unique deep listening art installation inviting audiences to lay down and be bathed in sound and light.
Exhibitions in the North

From city-wide art festivals to open-air sculptural installations, we have exhibitions from all around the North, both indoors and out.

See all guides